SILK AND COLOURthis artist's perspective on living a creative life in a chaotic world

I am pleased to announce that this very large goldwork piece is finally finished. (I blogged this work in progress here, here, here and here). This work is the second in a series of 3 (you can view the first work, "Who Watches the Child, here) and is approximately 55 cm long x 40 cm wide. Those of you who have attempted goldwork will appreciate just what a massive undertaking it is to make such a large work featuring this technique. I must admit that I found it rather arduous (and to be honest, tedious) work. As a result I walked away from it for a number of months, something that is uncharacteristic for me as I tend to only have one artwork on the go at any time. It turns out this was a good thing as I returned to it with renewed vigour and enthusiasm and was able to finish it in a sustained burst of activity over about 3 weeks.

The girl who is a subject of all three works in the series is no longer a helpless baby, but is now a young girl of 10 years. The Shadow remains, but she is determined to resist him.

These photographs were taken while the work was still on the frame. Much to my disappointment, the disparity between the width of the top edge and that of the bottom is not an optical illusion. I have since corrected this by adding in extra goldwork on the left side.

The goldwork is geometric and textural and the appearance changes when viewed from different angles and depending on the direction and intensity of the light source.

The 2 photos above show how different the work can look from different angles.

Various gold threads also add colour and textural variety.

Notice the red motif in the upper right corner? This motif is present on each of the sides and is worked in Or Nue. This is the Adinkra symbol "Aya" or "Fern". It is the symbol of endurance and resourcefulness. According to the Adinkra Dictionary, "an individual who wears this symbol suggests that he has endured many adversities and outlasted much difficulty".

Children should not be exposed to adversity and difficulty and yet so many are. This little girl is a tough cookie. She is haunted by the Shadow, but she has learned how to survive. She may not always be safe, but she is determined that no harm will come to her beloved pet rabbit. Despite the Shadow's best efforts to break her will and confidence she stands defiant and strong, burying her hurt in a deep and private place.

In these next photos you can see the different colours and types of gold threads used.

Hey there! I may not be able to comment on my own blog, but I can comment on yours! Regarding Chinese flat threads, you saw Francesca's blog entry that I linked to, yeah? The distributor there is orientalculturesATeast-onlineDOTcom (Alice). Fran got some thread (I'm pretty sure it was flat) for vegetable dyeing recently - I've written to her to ask where she got it from.
Best,

Thanks Megan for making the effort to respond here! I do know oriental cultures from ebay. The last time I enquired they did not do bulk orders of undyed silk (I want a couple of kgs at a time). However, I thought I'd try again so I sent of another email.

In case you're interested, I have six of my crop circle embroideries in the small works exhibition at the Brunswick Street Gallery in Fitzroy. The opening is on Friday July 5. If you feel like a night out, please come and take a look, I'd love to meet you.

Reply

Megan Hodges

30/6/2013 02:47:50

Fran just replied (good timing!). She got white silk from Alice. Are you a member of Facebook Historic Hand Embroidery? That would be *the* place to ask.
I'd loooove to come see your work and to meet you, however I'm a bit disabled and doomed to use taxis, and also unfortunately poor. I'm saving up to get to a friend's 50th in Fitzroy in a few weeks. How long does your exhibition go for? Email me at above address if you like - I keep having to subscribe to comments this way.

Reply

Megan Hodges

30/6/2013 02:47:58

Fran just replied (good timing!). She got white silk from Alice. Are you a member of Facebook Historic Hand Embroidery? That would be *the* place to ask.
I'd loooove to come see your work and to meet you, however I'm a bit disabled and doomed to use taxis, and also unfortunately poor. I'm saving up to get to a friend's 50th in Fitzroy in a few weeks. How long does your exhibition go for? Email me at above address if you like - I keep having to subscribe to comments this way.

Reply

Megan Hodges

30/6/2013 02:48:09

Fran just replied (good timing!). She got white silk from Alice. Are you a member of Facebook Historic Hand Embroidery? That would be *the* place to ask.
I'd loooove to come see your work and to meet you, however I'm a bit disabled and doomed to use taxis, and also unfortunately poor. I'm saving up to get to a friend's 50th in Fitzroy in a few weeks. How long does your exhibition go for? Email me at above address if you like - I keep having to subscribe to comments this way.

Reply

Megan Hodges

30/6/2013 02:48:16

Fran just replied (good timing!). She got white silk from Alice. Are you a member of Facebook Historic Hand Embroidery? That would be *the* place to ask.
I'd loooove to come see your work and to meet you, however I'm a bit disabled and doomed to use taxis, and also unfortunately poor. I'm saving up to get to a friend's 50th in Fitzroy in a few weeks. How long does your exhibition go for? Email me at above address if you like - I keep having to subscribe to comments this way.

Reply

Megan Hodges

30/6/2013 02:48:28

Fran just replied (good timing!). She got white silk from Alice. Are you a member of Facebook Historic Hand Embroidery? That would be *the* place to ask.
I'd loooove to come see your work and to meet you, however I'm a bit disabled and doomed to use taxis, and also unfortunately poor. I'm saving up to get to a friend's 50th in Fitzroy in a few weeks. How long does your exhibition go for? Email me at above address if you like - I keep having to subscribe to comments this way.

Reply

Megan Hodges

30/6/2013 02:48:44

Fran just replied (good timing!). She got white silk from Alice. Are you a member of Facebook Historic Hand Embroidery? That would be *the* place to ask.
I'd loooove to come see your work and to meet you, however I'm a bit disabled and doomed to use taxis, and also unfortunately poor. I'm saving up to get to a friend's 50th in Fitzroy in a few weeks. How long does your exhibition go for? Email me at above address if you like - I keep having to subscribe to comments this way.

Reply

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I am a hand embroidery artist living and working in the rugged and wild Central HIghlands of Tasmania.